In this op-ed, Maggie Piper explains how COVID-19 has exacerbated the unaffordability crisis in post-secondary education in the province of Ontario, and how legislators and administrators alike have failed to respond to students needs. Piper asks, "Is our educational funding model prepared for the next crisis?"

Madelin Gennaro examines Diya Shah’s research on students’ experiences with online learning during the pandemic. Shah’s research shows that the year has been challenging for students, and that online learning has taken a toll. Students have especially struggled financially, socially and with mental health broadly. While it is unclear whether shutdowns will continue in the Fall 2021 semester, Shah’s research suggests that a hybrid model of in-person and online classes would be the best option for improving student experiences across the board.

In his second article on the importance of city parks and COVID-19, Robert Gibson dives into the stats that relate COVID-19 incidence to availability of city parks. While there isn’t a direct link between these two factors, Gibson argues that biodiversity is linked to the incidence of pandemic and that parks have many health benefits for urban populations.